RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
The West's Keenan Naeole slipped by the East's Bronson McMoore in the first half of the HUB Goodwill Senior Bowl last night at Aloha Stadium. The West won the game, 37-16.

Special night for Bailey, West stars

Kama Bailey returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and the West defense scored two second-half touchdowns for a 37-16 win over the East in the 17th annual HUB Goodwill Senior Bowl last night at Aloha Stadium.

Bailey, who set the state single-season rushing mark at Damien, showed his skill as a returner.

"On the first one, the blocks were there and I just saw an opening," he said. "I got a key block by No. 1 (Robert Siavii)."

In all, the West had only 106 yards offensively as the East shut down the ground game. West ballcarriers managed 0 yards on 22 attempts. Kaimi Sarkissian (Kailua) led the East defense with five tackles and a fumble return, while Aaron Tipoti (Pac-Five) and Bronson McMoore (Kaiser) each had two sacks.

The West defense forced seven turnovers in all as the East rolled up 307 total yards on offense.

"We rotated guys every four plays," coach Wendell Say said.

The result was a fresh, balanced effort that included sacks by Chris Fuga (Campbell) and Isaiah Lavea (Kamehameha). The East had more production offensively in the first half, while the West had no offensive points. In fact, the only touchdown for the West came on Kama Bailey's game-opening 96-yard kickoff return.

Late in the first quarter, the East tied the game. Wide receiver Tamatoa DeMello (Saint Louis) went in motion, took a handoff and ran right before he launched a perfect 36-yard strike to Bruce Andrews (Kalaheo). The game was tied at 7 with 2:35 to go in the quarter.

Late in the second quarter, East quarterback Micah Mamiya (Saint Louis) fumbled at the West 2-yard line, where linebacker Aaron Dudoit (Punahou) recovered. Moments later, Keenan Naeole's pass attempt to James Buchanan (Aiea) was deflected into the air, and Kamaki Sherman (Anuenue) intercepted for the East. His 9-yard return gave the East first down at the West 16-yard line. Three plays later, Mamiya eluded a strong pass rush and found Earvin Sione open for an 8-yard touchdown pass. Sione, a 6-foot-4 senior from McKinley, gave the East a 13-7 lead with 27 seconds left in the first half.

The East got the ball back with 17 seconds left, and Mamiya connected with DeMello for an 18-yard pass to the West 28-yard line. However, officials allowed the clock to run down to 2 seconds instead of stopping the clock on the first-down gain, and the half ended.

The West offense, with just 4 rushing yards before halftime, came to life with one long pass. Rustin Funakoshi (Mililani) heaved a bomb to Buchanan for a 71-yard touchdown, and Colin Lund's PAT kick gave the West a 14-13 lead with 9:59 left in the third quarter.

Mun drilled a 38-yard field goal, with at least 15 yards to spare, as the third quarter ended. That gave the East a 16-14 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Bailey returned it up the middle 94 yards for his second touchdown to give the lead back to the West, 20-16.

Three plays later, Fuga hustled and tackled Cody vonAppen (Kalaheo) on a scramble, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Matt Ibanez. The Waianae defensive back returned the ball 25 yards for a touchdown, and the West led 27-16 with 11:12 left in the game. The replay clearly showed, however, than vonAppen was supposed to have been down by tackle before the ball squirted out, raising the ire of East fans.

Two plays later, Mamiya scrambled and fumbled after being hit by Boston Salmon (Waianae). Lavea recovered for the West at the East 24-yard line. Lund connected on a 43-yard field goal to boost the West lead to 30-16 with 9:10 to play in the game.

Christian Vasconcellos (Damien) used his 6-foot-2 frame to outjump an East receiver for an interception, and returned it 81 yards for a touchdown. The West led 37-16 with 4:11 remaining.

After two weeks of practice, Bailey's talent left an impression on his coach.

"He's like a cat. He always lands on his feet," Say said. "And he can catch. He could play slot at UH."